Akila Varadarajan
About me
This summer marks an important milestone for me. I’m taking up a new challenge to train my mind and body. Yes…I am doing my first half marathon. Being a busy mom of two little kids juggling between work and home, striving hard to keep up with the training for the big race. To make this run more meaningful and the miles I run count on some important purpose, I decided to run for Team Asha. Team Asha is a unique charity group with a strong belief that education is a critical requisite and an effective catalyst for powerful social and economic change. Team Asha through its variety of projects is helping underprivileged children in India achieve primary education.
My husband had been running for Team Asha for two years raising funds for underpriviliged kids in India. This year, with full support from my husband, its my turn to take over this important responsiblity . I fastened up my running shoes feeling proud to support a great cause. Consistent strong encouragement from my family and friends has given me the confidence that I can achieve both of my goals running 13.1 miles and raising $700 for a Noble cause ‘Education for Underprivileged’.
Why contribute to Asha?
* Because your money is going to educate a child which will eradicate his/her poverty and avoid child labor: Which means he or she will have a better future.
* Because you can… Your contribution matters a LOT and is going to mainly serve the purpose! Please donate generously: A $10, $20, $50, $100…Each dollar is going to lighten up a child’s life!
It could be your one day dinner expense but it is going to serve a child with a better future !
I will be grateful for whatever contributions you can make. Please help me reach my goal!!
PLEAST NOTE: I am a ZERO OVERHEAD runner, which means that I take care of all my half-marathon registration fees, training costs etc…So 100 % of your donations will go to ASHA projects ONLY.
About running with Asha
Asha for Education is an action group with a primary focus on basic education in India. The broader mission is to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. The objectives of this group in India are:
* To provide access to education for underprivileged children in India
* To promote universal education and decrease child labor
* To support grass roots initiatives in deprived and marginalized communities in India
* To address, whenever possible, other issues affecting human life such as health care, environmental and socio-economic issues, women’s issues, human rights issues, etc.
The objectives of this group in the United States are:
* Raise resources & awareness
* Encourage volunteer learning & leadership
* Provide opportunities to contribute to socio-economic change in India
In line with the objectives above, the Chicago Chapter of Asha for Education currently supports 8 projects : Aralu Pre-primary centers, Aralu Belaku residential home, Gramya, Navjyoti, Asmita, Swadhar, Jyotirgamaya and a fellowship to a grassroot healthcare activist Manish.
As a Team Asha runner, I endeavor to raise funds towards supporting these projects and making a difference in the lives of approximately 1000 children and their community.
Help Me Reach My Goal!
Please click the donate button to pay by credit card.
Alternatively, mail cheques payable to: “Asha for Education” with “
Team Asha 2011 - Akila Varadarajan” printed in the memo to:
Asha for Education, Chicago Chapter
P.O Box 2283
Chicago, IL 60690-2283
Donations to Asha for Education are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Tax Code
